Bill > H4434

This bill establishes a recall election process specifically for the town of Charlemont, Massachusetts, allowing registered voters to remove an elected official before their term ends. Under this law, at least fifty voters can initiate a recall by filing an affidavit with the town clerk explaining the grounds for removal, after which the clerk will provide petition blanks that must be signed by at least 20% of the town's registered voters within fourteen days. If the petitions are certified, the select board will notify the targeted official, who has five days to resign; if they do not resign, a recall election must be held between 64 and 90 days after certification (or potentially coinciding with another scheduled town election). The recall election ballot will include a proposition to recall the official and a list of candidate replacements, and if a majority votes in favor of recall, the candidate with the most votes will be elected to complete the remaining term. The bill includes several important restrictions: an official cannot be targeted for recall within six months of taking office, cannot run to succeed themselves in a recall election, and cannot be appointed to any town office for twelve months after being recalled or resigning during recall proceedings.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4434